Eighteenth Judicial District - Elbert County Court Judge
Honorable Donna M. Kirby
Retention Year: 1990
Recommendation: Retain
Judicial Performance Commission’s recommendation: Should Be Retained.
Judge Kirby is a non-attorney jurist. She received a degree in criminal law from Metropolitan State College in 1982, as was a deputy clerk of the Elbert County District Court from 1974 to 1979. She was appointed to the Elbert County Court bench on Feb 1979, and has a diversified docket, handling criminal, traffic and civil cases.
Responses generally characterized her as a courteous and competent judge, although some attorneys felt her lack of formal legal education impaired her effectiveness. There were some suggestions she became flustered in certain situations.
The Committee was favorably impressed with Kirby’s enthusiasm, willingness to improve herself, receptiveness to criticism and her attitude toward her position.